The Miami Heat had a game on Saturday night. They just didn’t seem to know it.
Though they would play a pretty even first period of action against a conference rival, the Brooklyn Nets, it all fell apart afterward. The Miami Heat would proceed to be outscored, 69-43, in the second and third periods.
That’s the story of the game. They committed a season-high 24 turnovers as well in the process.
It all boils down to one thing here. Over their last four contests or so, when it has mattered the most, the Heat have not been themselves.
They have refused to give that same all-out effort that they have for most of the year. They have refused to be relentless on defense.
They have refused to play every possession like someone was trying to take their food off their plates.
The Miami Heat came into Saturday’s game off of three straight defeats, looking to bounce back. They got bounced on their heads though by the potent Nets.
That’s the Heat that has come to play this season, more often than not.
That’s just it though. That thing isn’t about skill.
That thing isn’t about making or missing shots. That thing isn’t about two of your top three players not being range shooters, that being Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
That—is all about effort, want to, desire, hustle, grit, and determination. These are all things that we all know the Miami Heat have.
That’s what they are all about. So, while these last four contests haven’t been pretty, they also haven’t really been the Miami Heat team that we’ve seen for 80 percent of the season thus far.
Everyone will tell you that they know what the issue is. Analyst, pundits, and I told you so folks have waited for this week all year long.
Yes, the week that the Miami Heat struggled. But, again, that’s just it.
That week hadn’t come—until now. Even with that though, you have to believe this Miami Heat team will shake back.
Because all of the aforementioned stuff— the effort, want to, desire, hustle, grit, and determination is what it will take, and guess what? That’s what the Miami Heat are all about.
This one was rough. Heck, the last four were.
But, don’t cash out yet. This Heat team is far from done.
Promise.